Concealment Holster

ABSTRACT

A concealment holster that is designed to be concealed under a jacket or shirt, or even under the waistband of a pair of trousers includes two clips that support it on the wearer&#39;s belt. A foam and mesh backing provides comfort to the wearer.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a nonprovisional of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/585,866, filed Jan. 12, 2012, by the same inventors, the benefit of the filing date of which is hereby claimed, and the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a concealment holster—that is, a handgun holster that is designed to be concealed under a jacket or shirt, or even under the waistband of a pair of trousers. Some such holsters have either hard leather or laminate backing which does not allow heat dissipation and wicking of moisture. In addition, the hard backing creates hot spots 86 discomfort when worn over time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a holster that is an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of a clip that forms part of the holster of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing a portion of the holster with the clip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to a concealment holster. The invention is applicable to holsters of varying configurations. As representative of the invention, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a holster 10 that is a first embodiment of the invention.

The holster 10 includes a plate 12 that is supported on the user's belt B (FIG. 3) by two belt clips 14.

The plate 12 (FIG. 1) supports a pocket 16 in which the handgun (not shown) is received and supported.

The two belt clips 14 are, in this embodiment, identical to each other. Each belt clip 14 is made from molded plastic material.

Each clip 14 has a configuration as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. A C-shaped outer section 20 of the clip 14 has a slot 22 for receiving the user's belt B.

A support web 26 extends away from the top back side of the C-shaped outer section 20. A first portion 28 of the support web 26 extends downward, parallel to the C-shaped outer section 20. A second portion 30 of the support web 26 extends laterally inward for a short distance, and a third portion 32 extends downward to form a mounting section of the clip 14 that is spaced farther inward from the C-shaped outer section 20.

Four screw holes 40, 42 are located in the mounting section 32 of the clip 14. Three of the screw holes 40 are located in an arc that is centered on and above the fourth screw hole 42.

When the clip 14 is mounted on the plate 12, as shown, the mounting section 32 of the clip lies flat against the front surface of the plate. A first mounting screw 44 extends through the lower screw hole 42 of the clip 14 and into the plate 12. This first mounting screw 44 acts as a pivot.

A second mounting screw 46 extends through a selected one of the three upper screw holes 40 of the clip 14. Choosing one or the other of the three upper screw holes 40 sets the pivotal position of the clip 14 on the plate 12. This sets the forward/backward cant of the holster 10 relative to the belt B.

The waistband 50 (FIG. 3) of the user's trousers can fit into the gap between the C-shaped outer section 20 and the first portion 28 of the support web 26. The hem 52 of the user's shirt can fit into the gap between the first portion 28 of the support web 26 and the plate 12. As a result, the holster 10 provides several available levels of concealment.

The backside (facing the user) of the plate 12 is lined with a foam backing material 54 to eliminate discomfort such as hotspots, and to add comfort to the body when the holster 10 is being worn for long periods of time. One preferred material is TemperDri UB Lining available from Emtex Inc. of Danvers, Mass.

The backside (facing the user) of the foam backing is coated with a spacer mesh material 56 that is antibacterial and antimicrobial, to inhibit the growth of micro-organisms and to wick away moisture caused by perspiration. One preferred material is Milco Industries Style 1877 fabric, available from Milco Industries of Bloomsburg, Pa. 

1. A handgun holster for use by a wearer, that can be concealed behind the user's waistband, comprising: a plate; a pocket on the plate for receiving the handgun; and first and second belt clips on the plate for receiving the user's belt to support the holster on the user's belt; the first clip being located on a front portion of the plate in front of the pocket, and the second clip being located on a rear portion of the plate behind the pocket; each clip having a C-shaped outer section defining a slot for receiving the user's belt; each clip including a support web that includes a mounting section of the clip that is spaced inward and downward from the C-shaped outer section; each clip having a plurality of screw holes located in the mounting section of the clip for pivotally mounting the clip in a plurality of different positions, thereby to set forward/backward cant of the holster relative to the belt.
 2. A holster as set forth in claim 1 wherein the clip has a first gap between the C-shaped outer section of the clip and the support web clip for receiving the waistband of the wearer's trouser, and a second gap between the support web and the plate is adapted for receiving the hem of the user's shirt, thereby to provide several available levels of concealment.
 3. A holster as set forth in claim 2 wherein the backside of the plate is lined with a foam backing material and the backside of the foam backing material is coated with a spacer mesh material that is antibacterial and antimicrobial, to inhibit the growth of micro-organisms and to wick away moisture caused by perspiration.
 4. A handgun holster for use by a wearer, that can be concealed behind the user's waistband, comprising: a plate; a pocket on the plate for receiving the handgun; and two belt clips on the plate spaced on opposite sides of the pocket for receiving the user's belt to support the holster on the user's belt each clip including a C-shaped outer section with a slot for receiving the user's belt; each clip including a support web that extends away from the top back side of the C-shaped outer section, a first portion of the support web extending downward, parallel to the C-shaped outer section, a second portion of the support web extending laterally inward for a short distance, and a third portion of the support web extending downward to form a mounting section of the clip that is spaced farther inward from the C-shaped outer section; each clip having at least three screw holes located in the mounting section of the clip, two of the at least three screw holes being located in an arc that is centered on and above the third screw hole; the mounting section of the clip overlying flat against the front surface of the plate; a first mounting screw extending through the lower screw hole of the clip and into the plate, the first mounting screw acting as a pivot, and a second mounting screw extending through a selected one of the at least two upper screw holes of the clip, whereby choosing one or the other of the at least two upper screw holes sets the pivotal position of the clip on the plate, thereby to set forward/backward cant of the holster relative to the belt.
 5. A holster as set forth in claim 4 wherein the clip has a first gap between the C-shaped outer section of the clip and the first portion of the support web of the clip for receiving the waistband of the wearer's trouser, and a second gap between the first portion of the support web and the plate for receiving the hem of the user's shirt, thereby to provide several available levels of concealment.
 6. A holster as set forth in claim 6 wherein the backside of the plate is lined with a foam backing material and the backside of the foam backing material is coated with a spacer mesh material that is antibacterial and antimicrobial, to inhibit the growth of micro-organisms and to wick away moisture caused by perspiration.
 7. A holster as set forth in claim 4 wherein the backside of the plate is lined with a foam backing material and the backside of the foam backing material is coated with a spacer mesh material that is antibacterial and antimicrobial, to inhibit the growth of micro-organisms and to wick away moisture caused by perspiration. 